PRINCE2 course (online or classroom)

The right choice depends on your current experience, your certification goal, and how quickly you want to achieve it.

• PRINCE2 Foundation only – Best if you are new to project management or PRINCE2 and want to build a solid grounding in the method’s principles, processes, and terminology. No prerequisites are required. The course takes 2 days (instructor-led) or around 20 hours (self-paced), and the exam is a 60-minute, multiple-choice test.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner only – Best if you already hold a PRINCE2 Foundation certificate (or an accepted equivalent such as APM PMQ or PMP) and want to progress to a higher level that demonstrates practical application of the method. The Practitioner exam is 2.5 hours and scenario-based, reflecting real project decision-making.
• PRINCE2 combined (Foundation and Practitioner) – Best if you are starting from scratch but want both qualifications in a single programme. The combined course takes 4 days (instructor-led) or around 35 hours (self-paced), and includes both exams. This is typically the most cost-effective and time-efficient route for beginners aiming for full certification.

All three options are available from Knowledge Train as instructor-led courses (classroom or live online) or as self-paced online study, and all include a 1-year PeopleCert Plus membership. Both exams also come with a free resit. PRINCE2 certifications are accredited by PeopleCert and are recognised by employers internationally.

You do not need to hold the PRINCE2 Foundation certificate specifically, but you must hold one of the accepted prerequisite qualifications before sitting the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.

PRINCE2 Foundation is the most common route, and if you do not yet have it, Knowledge Train offers a PRINCE2 combined course that covers both Foundation and Practitioner together – making it the most efficient option for those starting from scratch.

If you already hold a different recognised project management qualification, you may be eligible to go straight to the Practitioner course. PeopleCert, the accreditation body for PRINCE2, accepts the following as Practitioner prerequisites:

• PRINCE2 Foundation (any version – 5th, 6th, or 7th Edition)
• PRINCE2 Practitioner (any version)
• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
• APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)
• PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
• IPMA Levels A, B, C, or D
• Junior Project Management Professional (CSPM-2)
• Medium Project Management Professional (CSPM-3)

PeopleCert verifies that a candidate holds a valid prerequisite before releasing Practitioner exam results, so it is important to confirm your eligibility before booking. If you are unsure which route is right for you, choosing the PRINCE2 combined course removes any uncertainty and covers both qualifications in a single programme.

The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner exams differ significantly in format, duration, difficulty, and what they test – Foundation assesses your understanding of the method, while Practitioner tests your ability to apply it in real project scenarios.

PRINCE2 Foundation exam

• Format: Multiple choice (objective test), closed book
• Questions: 60
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Pass mark: 60% (36 correct answers)
• Results: Same day
• Prerequisites: None

PRINCE2 Practitioner exam

• Format: Multiple choice (objective test), open book
• Questions: 70
• Duration: 150 minutes
• Pass mark: 60% (42 correct answers)
• Results: 2 working days
• Prerequisites: PRINCE2 Foundation or an equivalent qualification (such as APM PMQ, PMP, or IPMA Level A-D)

A key practical difference is that the Practitioner exam is open book, meaning candidates can refer to their PRINCE2 manual during the exam. However, the questions are scenario-based and demand applied judgement rather than simple recall, so familiarity with the manual is essential rather than sufficient on its own.

Both exams are taken online and are accredited by PeopleCert, which manages registration, results, and certification through a candidate’s PeopleCert account. A free resit (Take2) is included on courses from Knowledge Train.

Both PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass your exam, after which renewal is required to keep your certification current.

Renewal does not mean your original certificate or pass date disappears – those remain on record. What changes is the status of your certification in your PeopleCert account, which is flagged as outdated if you do not renew in time. An expired certification is not revoked, but it will be marked as due for renewal on PeopleCert’s Candidate Verification Service.

You have three routes to renew a PRINCE2 certification:

• CPD points (PeopleCert Plus members only) – log 20 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points per year for three consecutive years, with no further exam required.
• Retake the same exam – passing the PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner exam again resets the three-year renewal period.
• Pass another certification in the same PeopleCert Product Portfolio – achieving any certification within the PRINCE2 Product Portfolio (which includes PRINCE2 Agile, MSP, MoP, MoR, and P3O) renews all certifications you already hold in that Portfolio at the same time.

Courses offered by Knowledge Train include a one-year PeopleCert Plus membership, which gives you access to the CPD renewal route as well as mock exams, masterclasses, and a free exam resit (Take2).

The PRINCE2 Foundation course takes 2 days (instructor-led) or around 20 hours (self-paced), while the PRINCE2 Practitioner course takes 2 days (instructor-led) or around 15 hours (self-paced).

Here is a summary of the durations by course and delivery format:

• PRINCE2 Foundation – instructor-led: 2 days of live training (online or classroom), with a fixed scheduled start date
• PRINCE2 Foundation – self-paced online: approximately 20 hours of interactive e-learning, with 12 months of access to complete at your own pace
• PRINCE2 Practitioner – instructor-led: 2 days of live training (online or classroom)
• PRINCE2 Practitioner – self-paced online: approximately 15 hours of interactive e-learning, with 12 months of access
• PRINCE2 combined (Foundation and Practitioner) – instructor-led: 4 days
• PRINCE2 combined – self-paced online: approximately 35 hours

The Practitioner self-paced course is slightly shorter than Foundation because it builds directly on existing PRINCE2 knowledge rather than introducing the method from scratch. Both exams are included in the course fees, and both delivery formats include a free exam resit (Take2) through PeopleCert Plus membership, which is also included.

If you have no prior PRINCE2 knowledge and want both qualifications, the combined course covering 4 days or 35 hours is the most efficient route.

Yes – you cannot sit the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam without first holding PRINCE2 Foundation or an accepted equivalent qualification.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner course is designed for candidates who already understand the core PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) framework. The prerequisite exists because the Practitioner exam builds directly on Foundation-level knowledge, focusing on how to apply and tailor PRINCE2 in real project scenarios rather than explaining it from scratch.

Accepted prerequisites for PRINCE2 Practitioner include:

• PRINCE2 Foundation (any edition)
• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)
• PMI Certified Associate in Project Management or PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
• IPMA Levels A, B, C, or D
• Other recognised project management qualifications as specified by PeopleCert, the certification body for PRINCE2

If you do not yet hold PRINCE2 Foundation, the most practical option is the PRINCE2 combined course, which covers both Foundation and Practitioner training and includes both exams. This is available as a 4-day instructor-led course or a 35-hour self-paced online programme, and is suitable for beginners with no prior PRINCE2 experience.

If you already hold one of the equivalent qualifications listed above, you can enrol directly on the standalone PRINCE2 Practitioner course without completing PRINCE2 Foundation first.

For most project managers, PRINCE2 Practitioner is a worthwhile progression from Foundation because it demonstrates practical application of the method, not just theoretical knowledge.

PRINCE2 Foundation proves you understand the principles, processes, and terminology. PRINCE2 Practitioner goes further – it assesses your ability to tailor and apply PRINCE2 in real project scenarios. Employers increasingly expect practitioner-level certification from those responsible for managing or leading projects, rather than those supporting them.

Consider PRINCE2 Practitioner if you:

• Are a project manager or team leader accountable for project delivery
• Want to move into more senior project management roles
• Need to demonstrate you can apply PRINCE2 in practice, not just recall its structure
• Work in an organisation that uses PRINCE2 as its delivery framework

The Practitioner exam is more demanding than Foundation – it is 150 minutes, scenario-based, open book, and requires 60% to pass. Knowledgetrain’s PRINCE2 Practitioner course includes the exam with a free resit, mock papers, and tutor support, and can be completed in 2 days (instructor-led) or around 15 hours (self-paced).

From a certification management perspective, passing PRINCE2 Practitioner also keeps your Foundation certification current within the PeopleCert Product Portfolio system, so both qualifications renew together rather than separately.

If you do not yet hold Foundation, Knowledge Train offers a combined PRINCE2 course covering both levels in 4 days or 35 hours of self-paced study.

PRINCE2 and PRINCE2 Agile are related but distinct project management qualifications: PRINCE2 provides a structured, stage-based framework for managing projects, while PRINCE2 Agile combines that framework with agile and lean delivery techniques.

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured method built around seven principles, practices, and processes. It gives project managers a clear governance structure, defined roles and responsibilities, and a stage-by-stage approach to project delivery. It is widely recognised by UK and international employers across all sectors and industries.

PRINCE2 Agile extends PRINCE2 by integrating agile ways of working – such as Scrum and Kanban – into the PRINCE2 governance structure. It is designed for project managers who need to apply agile delivery methods within a controlled project environment.

Key differences at a glance:

• Audience: PRINCE2 suits a broad range of project managers; PRINCE2 Agile is aimed at those already working in, or moving into, agile delivery environments.
• Prerequisite: PRINCE2 Foundation has no prerequisites; PRINCE2 Agile typically builds on existing PRINCE2 knowledge.
• Focus: PRINCE2 emphasises governance and control; PRINCE2 Agile blends that governance with flexible, iterative delivery.
• Certification body: Both qualifications are accredited and awarded by PeopleCert and sit within the same PRINCE2 Product Portfolio.

If you are new to project management, starting with PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner is the recommended path before considering PRINCE2 Agile.

PRINCE2 Practitioner is significantly harder than PRINCE2 Foundation, and the two exams test different cognitive skills, not just different volumes of content.

The PRINCE2 Foundation exam tests knowledge and comprehension of the PRINCE2 method. It is a closed-book, 60-minute multiple-choice paper with 60 questions and a pass mark of 60% (36 correct answers). Most candidates with no prior PRINCE2 experience can prepare adequately in two days of structured training or around 20 hours of self-paced study.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner exam is considerably more demanding for several reasons:

• Question style: 70 scenario-based questions require you to analyse a project situation and judge how PRINCE2 should be applied or tailored – not simply recall facts.
• Duration: 150 minutes, compared to 60 minutes for Foundation.
• Open book: The official PRINCE2 manual is permitted, but the questions are designed so that candidates who rely on it heavily will struggle with time.
• Pass mark: 60% (42 out of 70), but the analytical nature of the questions makes this harder to achieve in practice.
• Prerequisites: PRINCE2 Foundation (or an equivalent recognised qualification) must be held before sitting Practitioner.

Both exams include a free resit (Take2) through PeopleCert, which is included as part of the 1-year PeopleCert Plus membership that comes with Knowledge Train’s courses.